Wine of the Week • 1 February 2021

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2017

When St Henri Shiraz was first released commercially with the 1957 vintage, it was priced identically with Grange Hermitage (as it was called then, 1952 being the inaugural commercial vintage). Whereas Grange loves new oak (American), St Henri prefers the fruit to be completely unplugged. The 2017 vintage was matured 12 months in large wooden vats more than 50 years old. St Henri usually contains a pinch of Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% in 2017. The South Australia Shiraz includes fruit from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Eden Valley, and Port Lincoln. Decanted 90 minutes, the ripe dark cherry, black olive and liquorice fruit is delivered by smooth Rolls Royce tannins. Today, the price of a bottle of Grange will repay with 6 to 8 bottles of “The Saint”.

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